TearRestore, Inc. is introducing a new addition to its portfolio of over-the-counter (OTC) eyecare products: the WINQ Eyelid Serum.
Let’s start with TearRestore.
TearRestore is an OTC eyecare product-based medical technology company developing solutions to provide symptom relief for dry eye patients.
- Its origins: Trace back to 2018, when the company was founded out of the University of Minnesota with funding from the National Science Foundation.
Among its product categories:
- Eyelid cleansers
- HylaWipe
- NeutraWipe ECO (launched in May 2024)
- Warm compresses
- Open-Eye Thermal Mask
- EyeRelax Steam Mask (launched in March 2025)
Now to this eyelid serum.
Referred to as a “first-of-its-kind product,” the WINQ Eyelid Serum is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and formulated to specifically target digital eye strain caused by reduced blinking.
What it does: Restores the natural eye function.
How it does this: By targeting transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) cold receptors—which play a key role in sensing cold and pain—with gentle cooling plant extracts to naturally activate blinking.
- The intended result: Increased blinking, which in turn helps to refresh the tear film and reduce eye fatigue.
So what’s included in its formulation?
Three notable ingredients to support skin hydration, reduce puffiness, and under-eye brightening (check out the complete ingredient list here).
- Niacinamide
- A form of the water-soluble Vitamin B3 that enhances the skin’s natural lipid barrier, boosts hydration, eases inflammation, and reduces the appearance of pores
- Caffeine
- Clinically proven to reduce eye puffiness and the appearance of under-eye dark circles
- Hyaluronic acid (HA)
- Naturally found in the tear film with anti-inflammatory properties, HA also provides lubrication and reduces evaporation on the ocular surface.
As TearRestore noted: “It’s eyecare meets skincare.”
Now circle back to this blink rate effect.
The eyelid serum was the focus of a double-masked, randomized controlled trial (RCT) conducted at SEGi University in Malaysia that evaluated its effectiveness in improving the subconscious blink rate and relieving digital device-associated dry eye symptoms of 30 patients (aged 18-99).
- About these participants: Inclusion criteria included those with dry eye symptoms >0 on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) with a baseline blink of <18 blinks per minute
- Exclusion criteria involved those with a history of eyelid abnormalities and/or blepharoplasty
- The setup: Patients were split into two groups to receive either the WINQ serum or a control solution via topical application
- The measurements: Were recorded at baseline (prior to application) and post-application (collected immediately after and then 15 minutes after):
- Blink rate (3-minute average)
- Non-invasive keratograph tear breakup time (NIK-TBUT)
- Tear meniscus height (TMH)
- Symptom severity (VAS)
Note: All clinical trial details and findings were shared with Glance by TearRestore.
And how did the eyelid serum impact this?
The serum resulted in a 27% increase in blink rate (compared to baseline) immediately following application as well as a 36% increase after 15 minutes (and up to 2 hours of sustained effect, according to TearRestore).
- Comparatively: The placebo group actually experienced a reduction in their blink rate.
The numbers:
- WINQ group: 7.6 (baseline) vs 9.7 (immediately after) vs 10.4 (15 minutes post-application)
- Placebo group: 9.0 (baseline) vs 6.7 (immediately after) vs 7.8 (15 minutes post-application)
And for patients’ partial blink rate?
Those in the WINQ group experienced a 50% reduction in their partial blink rate immediately after application—as well as a 47% reduction after 15 minutes.
- Comparatively: This was more or less mirrored in the placebo group.
The numbers:
- WINQ group: 2.3 (baseline) vs 1.1 (immediately after) vs 1.2 (15 minutes post-application)
- Placebo group: 2.7 (baseline) vs 1.1 (immediately after) vs 1.4 (15 minutes post-application)
This sounds promising … but how were DED symptoms affected?
Looking at patients’ Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), their scores reduced by 15% immediately after application.
However, at the 15-minute mark: VAS was largely unchanged.
- The numbers:
- WINQ group: 27.8 (baseline) vs 23.6 (15 minutes post-application)
- Placebo group: 31.2 (baseline) vs 23.3 (15 minutes post-application)
So what does all this mean?
Based on this data, the WINQ Eyelid Serum was determined to demonstrate a significant increase in blink rate versus baseline and the placebo group—“providing a potential solution for individuals experiencing dryness and discomfort associated with prolonged screen use,” according to the study’s clinical evaluation.
- Notably: OSDI and VAS indicated patients’ improved comfort (although NIKBUT and TMH showed minimal changes).
In all: The eyelid serum was suggested to “effectively support eye health during extended screen time by increasing blink rate.”
How exciting! Now one last question: Where can I purchase this?
Click here to order the WINQ Eyelid Serum directly from TearRestore’s online shop.